A YEAR IN THE ART DEPARTMENT
The Art department is one of the most vibrant and welcoming places in school . It is a constant hub of creativity , full of clay , drying prints and tubes of paint .
The Year 11 Art trip to Amsterdam was a personal highlight of the year . We saw many artworks across five museums and galleries , ranging from pieces by Banksy in the Moco Museum to works of Rembrandt in the Rijksmuseum . The variety and contrast were an assault on the senses . We were bombarded with different periods , artists and interpretations , but it meant that everyone was able to take something different from the experience . I am always interested in what causes some people to linger at one painting and not others . My favourite experiences were the Rembrandt House Museum , where we learned about the different pigments used to create the artist ’ s paints , as well as sketching the sculptures outside the Moco in the cold February sunlight . Many of us also discovered the wonders of stroopwafels when exploring the city ’ s streets and canals !
Another key event in this year ’ s art calendar was the Upper Sixth exhibition at the Oxo Bargehouse , where they showcased their IB portfolios .
The Oxo ’ s industrial rooms with exposed brick and old pipes were filled with art and the steady hum of conversation between proud students , parents and teachers . Many Old Sennockians , including my sister and her friends , also returned to visit the exhibition , highlighting how the Art department has created a long-lasting community . I was excited by the possibility of having my own work hang on the Oxo ’ s walls and began to imagine the form that my IB Art portfolio would take . One of my favourite things about this year ’ s exhibition was the ingenuity with which the artists presented their work . I particularly enjoyed how one student arranged their materials and pieces across the floor to mimic the organised chaos of a messy studio .
Next September , I will start a new chapter in my artistic progression , taking Art as a Higher Level subject as I move into the Sixth Form . I feel prepared to always be covered in paint ( much to my mother ’ s dismay ) and ready to explore new themes and techniques . I feel confident in knowing that I have supportive and inspirational teachers to help me along the way . Many of us are really looking forward to the Sixth Form Art trip to New York this winter . I can ’ t wait to live in the Art department next year !
Greta Wood , Year 11
28 ART REVIEW